Current Status: Announced
Ishwardi 70 MW Solar Power Plant, is an announced solar power plant situated in Bilbamni Mouza in Ishwardi Upazila, Pabna District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.1498, 89.0241) probable. It is proposed by the Consortium of Dihan Green Energy Limited, HI Korea Limited and Pabna Solar Power Limited, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 30 January 2022. As per schedule, the power plant is to start commercial operation on 30 June 2025 and retire on 29 June 2045.
Capacity
The installed capacity of this power plant is 70 MW.
Context
As per the proposal of the ministry of power, energy and mineral Resources (MPEMR), the government is expected to disburse approximately BDT 1,843.20 crore, following a policy involving a 12% discount factor and an 18.50% plant factor. The suggested electricity tariff stands USD $0.1015 or BDT 8.12 per kilowatt-hour, applicable for a 20-year duration. The project will operate under the build-own-operate (BOO) framework (BIB, 2021, BP, 2022). The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) approved the project on 5 January 2022 under Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2021 (FE 2022).
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 30 January 2022 as a preliminary commitment to commission the power plant (BPDB 2022). According to the LOI, the Commercial Operation Date of the power plant is estimated before 31 December 2024, but the respective Power Purchase Agreement is yet to be signed (BPDB 2022).According to BPDB, the power plant is expected to be in operation from 30 June 2025 (BPDB, 2024).
Land Acquisition
182 acres of land has been acquired for this power plant (DSNE, 2022).
Finance
The project will cost BDT 1,843.20 crore which will be invested by the consortium (BIB, 2021).
Sponsor
It is proposed by a consortium of Dihan Green Energy Limited, HI Korea Limited and Pabna Solar Power Limited (BIB, 2021).
Contractors
No information has been found about the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.
Fuel Supply
The power plant is a solar power plant which runs with the energy from sunlight.
Power Generation
The plant is not in generation yet.
Environment
Ground-mounted solar panels present numerous advantages compared to rooftop installations. Positioned strategically on the ground to optimize exposure to sunlight, these panels enhance energy production. Their adaptable placement allows installation in open areas with minimal shading, offering greater flexibility in choosing suitable locations. Beyond contributing to environmental preservation through the generation of clean, renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, ground-mounted solar panels aid in land conservation by utilizing non-arable or unused spaces . According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA, 1995). The polluting industries, such as power plants, must undergo an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 2017 (MOEFCC, 1997). But unfortunately, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was found of this project. According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “Orange” indicating it as a moderately harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).
References
BIB (2021). “70MW solar power plant to be set up at Ishwardi”. Business Insider Bangladesh (BIB): 28 December 2021
BP (2022). “Another gas-fired rental power plant gets extension”. Business Post (BP): 5 January 2022
BPDB (2022). ‘Power Sector Progress Report’. Bangladesh Power Development Board: 15 June 2022
BPDB (2024). ‘Power Sector Progress Report’. Bangladesh Power Development Board: 11 January 2024
DSNE (2022). “70MW Solar Power Plant To Be Set Up At Ishwardi In Bangladesh”. DS New Energy (DSNE): 5 January 2022
FE (2022). “Two 120MW solar plants to be set up in Pabna, Mymensingh”. The Financial Express (FE): 8 January 2022
MOEFCC (1997). “The Environmental Conservation Rules”. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 27 August 1997.
MOEFCC (2023). “The Environmental Conservation Rules”. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 5 March 2023
MOLJPA (1995). “Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995”. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MOLJPA): 16 February 1995.